Our cricket coverage begins on Thursday November 21 with Australia v England live from the Gabba, followed by the second Test from Adelaide Oval from December 5, and the third Test from the WACA from December 13.

Of course the traditional Boxing Day Test starts at the MCG on December 26, and the series winds up with the fifth Test from the SCG starting on January 3.

Our cricket coverage, which mostly starts at around 10am, usually means our listeners miss out on the end of 1233's Morning show, as well as the entire Afternoon and Drive shifts.

But that's all changing this cricket season, with our local 1233 programs to be available via live streaming from our website, abc.net.au/newcastle, or through the ABC's mobile phone app. (you can download it here)

Whatever your preference, whether you're a devoted cricket fan or just like dipping in and out to hear the score, you'll be able to swap between the Ashes tests and our Newcastle-based programs whenever you wish.

1233 local content manager, Phil Ashley-Brown, says the ABC realises that more and more people are accessing our programs on their smartphones, tablets and PCs.

"By offering local programs online during our popular cricket coverage, we're giving our audience more choice and the ability to stay across local news as it breaks," Phil says.

"With a big part of the audience very keen to hear our cricket coverage on the radio, we'll also have all our regular segments including traffic, weather and local news on the 1233 stream for those who want local information."